Global Clothing Manufacturing: U.S. Apparel Sourcing Trends, Product Types, and Lead Times (2023–2025)

If you’re in clothing manufacturing, apparel sourcing, or run a fashion brand, knowing exactly where your products are made—and how long they take to reach your warehouse—can make the difference between profitable growth and lost margin. The global fashion supply chain is evolving rapidly, with shifts in production, tariffs, and delivery times impacting every apparel business in America.

This guide provides up-to-date data for 2023, 2024, and 2025 on the top countries for U.S. apparel manufacturing and imports, the specific product categories each specializes in, and the average transit times every supply chain leader needs to know.

U.S. Apparel Manufacturing & Sourcing: By Country, Product Type, and Average Transit Time (2023, 2024, 2025)

Made in USA: Top Apparel Manufacturing States & Leading Cities (2025 Estimate)

While most apparel sold in the United States is imported, local manufacturing is holding steady and even gaining share among brands focused on speed, quality, and “Made in USA” positioning.

Below are the top 10 U.S. states for apparel manufacturing, their leading production city, and each state’s estimated share of national output for 2025:

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2023–2024, AAFA, trade associations, and state/local economic reports.

California and New York alone account for over 40% of all U.S. apparel manufacturing—with Los Angeles and New York City still serving as the creative and production capitals of American fashion.

States to Watch: Projected Growth in U.S. Apparel Manufacturing

While California, New York, and Texas lead the way, several other states are poised for growth in apparel production as reshoring and regionalization trends continue. Notably:

• Ohio is seeing a resurgence in textile and apparel manufacturing, especially around Columbus and Cleveland, supported by state initiatives and workforce investments. The state is focusing on casualwear, uniforms, and sustainable apparel.
• South Carolina is expanding its technical textiles and performance fabric sector, making it a hub for athletic wear, industrial uniforms, and specialty fabrics.
• Tennessee benefits from its central location and robust logistics network, attracting new investments in cut-and-sew operations for denim, outerwear, and workwear.
• Oregon continues to grow thanks to its cluster of sportswear brands and smaller manufacturers, especially in activewear, outdoor apparel, and sustainable fashion.
• Colorado is establishing itself in eco-friendly clothing, outdoor gear, and lifestyle apparel, driven by rising demand for locally made, sustainable products.

This ongoing diversification shows how U.S. apparel manufacturing is not only holding steady in traditional hubs but is also on the rise in a new generation of fashion and textile regions across the country.

Local Production, Real-Time Tracking

For many brands, local U.S. manufacturing means:

• Faster prototyping and replenishment
• Lower minimum order quantities
• Easier oversight and communication
• “Made in USA” marketing value and trust

Whether you’re producing in LA, NYC, or small-town America, AIMS360 fashion ERP gives you end-to-end visibility:

• Track domestic production orders by state, city, or factory
• Monitor WIP and finished goods by batch—even with multiple U.S. vendors
• Integrate local lead times, inventory, and costing with your global supply chain

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Who Really Sells Apparel in the U.S.? U.S.-Owned vs. Foreign-Owned Apparel Brands

While most apparel sold in the U.S. is imported, it’s important to understand who is actually selling to American consumers—and how that impacts your competition, channel strategy, and supply chain technology needs.

U.S.-Owned Businesses Still Dominate

• 65–75% of apparel sold in the U.S. is sold by U.S.-owned brands, retailers, and e-commerce businesses.
• This includes national giants like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Walmart, Target, Gap, Nike, and a huge range of U.S.-based DTC and boutique brands.
• Most of these companies source globally, but the ownership, merchandising, and customer relationships remain U.S.-based.

The Rise of Foreign-Owned Sellers

• 25–35% of apparel is now sold by non-U.S.-owned companies.
• This category includes international fast-fashion and specialty brands such as H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, Shein, Temu, and ASOS.
• Direct-to-consumer e-commerce platforms, especially Shein and Temu, have grown rapidly and are capturing significant online market share.
• Their influence is expanding, particularly with Gen Z and among online shoppers seeking ultra-fast fashion at low prices.

U.S. Retailers: Macy’s, Nordstrom, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Saks

When it comes to department stores and mass retailers like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Saks Fifth Avenue, the share of apparel sold by U.S.-owned sellers is even more pronounced:

• 95–98% of apparel sold in these retailers is supplied by U.S.-owned companies, brands, or U.S.-based importers and distributors.
• Only a small percentage (typically 2–5%) comes from non-U.S. sellers, and these are almost entirely online via marketplace programs.
• In physical stores, virtually all merchandise is purchased directly by the retailer from U.S.-based businesses.
• Even on their marketplace platforms, most sellers are required to have a U.S. entity and banking, making direct foreign sales rare.

Why This Matters for Apparel Brands and Technology

• Channel mix and brand control: U.S.-owned brands and retailers still control the majority of sales channels, but foreign-owned platforms are reshaping online consumer expectations.
• Supply chain software and ERP: Whether you’re a U.S.-owned company competing for shelf space or an international seller growing in the U.S. market, agile fashion ERP and supply chain software (like AIMS360) are essential to manage inventory, margins, and multi-channel fulfillment.
• Adaptability: As the market continues to shift, brands need the flexibility to serve both domestic and international channels—and that requires real-time data, integration, and technology built for the modern apparel industry.

Bottom line:
Most U.S. apparel is still sold by U.S.-owned businesses, with especially high percentages among major retailers like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Walmart, Target, and Saks.
Foreign-owned sellers are gaining ground in e-commerce, especially through Amazon, but U.S. brands and companies remain the core of American apparel sales.
Having the right apparel ERP and supply chain software is more important than ever for brands who want to stay competitive—no matter who owns the channel.

Why Country of Origin and Transit Time Matter in Clothing Manufacturing

Every major apparel manufacturing country brings unique strengths to the U.S. market. China and Vietnam still dominate in basics, outerwear, and kidswear, while Bangladesh is a powerhouse for denim and basics, and Mexicoleads in fast-turn uniforms and denim thanks to its proximity. Italy remains the leader for luxury and designer apparel. The average delivery times for each country impact your cash flow, ability to react to trends, and even your sales.

Tariffs, Import Costs, and Margin Pressures for Fashion Brands

One of the biggest changes in recent years is the rising impact of tariffs on imported apparel. The U.S. has increased duties on Chinese-made clothing, with notable tariffs on imports from Vietnam, Bangladesh, and others. These extra costs add up quickly—and if you’re not tracking your true landed costs (including duty, freight, and compliance) by style or PO, you could be losing margin without realizing it.

Domestic production in the U.S. avoids tariffs but comes with higher labor and regulatory costs. The best-performing brands use real-time software like AIMS360 apparel ERP to compare both options and build profitable sourcing strategies.

Fashion Technology in Everyday Use: Importing & U.S. Manufacturing

Today’s most successful apparel brands—whether importing from Asia or producing locally in the U.S.—leverage proven, practical technologies for efficiency, accuracy, and profitability. Here’s how fashion technology is actively used in real-world apparel supply chains:

For Importing Apparel

• Global Shipment Tracking: Digital supply chain platforms and systems like AIMS360 apparel ERP monitor containers, “days in transit,” and flag late shipments, reducing the risk of stockouts and delays.
• Automated Landed Cost Calculations: Fashion ERP instantly calculates true landed costs for every import—giving clarity on margin impact from any country.
• EDI Integration with Overseas Vendors: EDI and vendor portals automate PO confirmations, shipping notices, and compliance paperwork for faster customs and warehouse receiving.
• Batch and Split Shipment Visibility: Modern ERP and PLM systems (such as AIMS360 Fashion PLM) track every shipment batch and update WIP inventory in real time—even when overseas vendors ship in multiple containers.

For U.S. & Local Manufacturing

• Domestic Production Scheduling: Brands using AIMS360 fashion software track U.S. production by factory, ex-factory date, and batch, ensuring on-time delivery for quick-turn “Made in USA” collections.
• Shop Floor & Production Step Tracking: Modern apparel businesses utilize AIMS360 apparel ERP and AIMS360 Fashion PLM to track every stage on the shop floor—including cutting, sewing, garment dye, finishing, quality control (QC), and receiving. Each process step is logged in real time, so teams know exactly which orders are in progress, what’s completed, and what’s ready to move to the next phase.
• Barcode and RFID Scanning: U.S. manufacturers rely on barcode/RFID for accurate inventory, picking, and fulfillment—tying each garment or bundle to its production history.
• Real-Time Work-in-Process (WIP): As goods progress through cutting, sewing, dyeing, and finishing, WIP inventory is updated automatically—giving production and sales teams instant visibility into how much is in each stage.
• Integrated Margin Analysis: ERP and PLM track every domestic cost—labor, materials, and freight—showing exactly which U.S.-made styles are profitable.

Why this matters:
With AIMS360 fashion ERP and AIMS360 Fashion PLM, you don’t just know your inventory levels—you have end-to-end control and visibility from the shop floor to the finished good, ensuring you can deliver faster, maintain quality, and adapt your workflow in real time.

Across Both Import & Local

• Centralized Data: Whether your goods come from Los Angeles, New York, or Asia, all orders, shipments, and inventory are tracked in one system—reducing errors and saving time.
• Exception Alerts: Automated notifications for late shipments, production delays, or cost overruns help you respond fast and protect margins.

AIMS360 apparel software, AIMS360 fashion ERP, and AIMS360 Fashion PLM are built to deliver these real-world advantages—no matter your sourcing strategy.

“With AIMS360 fashion software, I can instantly shift production from one vendor to another—whether it’s overseas or here in the U.S. The system handles every detail, from purchase orders to inventory and tracking, so I can manufacture locally one day and import the next, all with complete confidence and zero disruption. We tried two other fashion software solutions, but nothing matched the flexibility and reliability of AIMS360. It’s made us truly agile in a fast-moving market.”

The Value of Real Supply Chain Visibility: AIMS360 Apparel Software

AIMS360 apparel software is purpose-built for modern clothing manufacturing and global fashion supply chains. Here’s what it brings to top fashion brands:

• Supply Chain Tracking: AIMS360 fashion software keeps track of every “days in transit,” vessel, and batch—so you know where your goods are, and when they’ll land.
• Ex-Factory Dates & On-Time Production: Log and monitor ex-factory (ship) dates, and get instant status on what’s shipped, in transit, cleared customs, or delayed.
• Work-In-Process (WIP) Inventory Management: Even if your vendor ships in multiple batches, AIMS360 apparel ERP automatically updates WIP and inventory, so you never lose visibility.
• Margin & Costing Analysis: Calculate true landed cost by style, order, or channel—including tariffs, duty, ocean freight, and warehousing—for precise margin protection.
• Exception Alerts: Get notified about late shipments or production issues, letting you respond fast and keep customers happy.
• AIMS360 Fashion PLM Integration: Track design, development, sampling, and production workflows—all linked directly to your supply chain and costing in real time.

Why Successful Clothing Brands Rely on AIMS360 Fashion Software

Whether you manufacture in Los Angeles, import from Bangladesh, or manage a global multi-channel operation, you need to track your costs and margins for every order and product. Leading apparel businesses, from top-performing brands to fast-growing startups, depend on:

• AIMS360 apparel software for optimized inventory and allocation every season and channel. Free 3PL integration or use Apparel (WMS) Warehouse Mangement System
• AIMS360 fashion ERP to model “what if” sourcing and shipping scenarios, including tariffs and disruptions
• AIMS360 apparel ERP for precise margin protection by accurately tracking all costs, from materials and labor to freight
• AIMS360 Fashion PLM for end-to-end design and production visibility
• Real-time alerts to respond faster to production or shipping delays

The result? Increased profitability, smarter sourcing, and complete control over your supply chain with AIMS360 fashion software.

Ready to modernize your clothing manufacturing, sourcing, and supply chain tracking?
Contact AIMS360 for a demo and see how our industry-leading apparel ERP software, fashion PLM, and supply chain solutions can help your brand thrive—no matter where you make your clothes or how quickly the world changes.

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